Energy news from the Apollo Alliance

Legislation to renew billions of dollars in tax breaks for solar, wind, biomass and other renewable energy sources was approved yesterday by the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, by a vote of 25-12. The House proposal, which differs from the Senate version approved in early April, would extend a proposed new tax credit for ethanol fuels not produced from corn. This week, Congress approved a veto-proof version of the Farm Bill that provides $1.01 per gallon tax credit for ethanol produced from grass and waste materials.

The House Ways and Means Committee would give farmers and refiners three more years of subsidies beyond what is included in the Farm Bill. In all, the House committee measure would extend about $54 billion in expiring tax breaks for renewable energy sources, education and a number of business expenses including research and development. That's not pocket change for clean energy.

Though the House is taking up the legislation, the deliberate pace of the Congressional work to extend existing tax credits for renewable energy is worrying executives in the utility, finance, investment, and production sectors. This week Peter Darbee, the chairman and chief executive officer of PG&E Corporation, the parent of California's largest investor-owned utility, noted in an article in the San Francisco Chronicle that “failure by Congress to renew the credits could cost the United States 100,000 jobs and billions of dollars annually in new investments.”

He added, “the tremendous spurt of innovation and development we have seen in the renewable energy sector could be squelched just when the national economy, buffeted by the housing collapse and record oil prices, needs all the support it can get.”

"Here at the Apollo Alliance, we're closely watching the Congressional deliberations on the renewable energy tax credits, and we're involved in making the case for their extension. For next week's Apollo Feedback, I'd like to hear from our partners and supporters who are renewable energy developers, manufacturers, installers, and workers. What do the existing renewable tax credits mean to your business? If they are not extended, what are the consequences. "

Feet on the Street Festival - 22nd St. S. cultural streetfest

The public is invited to a lively one-day cultural streetfest highlighting the businesses, neighborhoods and talent in Midtown St. Petersburg.
The 3rd Annual Feet on the Street Festival Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. offers entertainment, food and commodity vendors along 22nd St. S., between Ninth Ave. S. and 13th Ave. S. Admission is free. Live entertainment on two stages features dance, jazz, R&B, Hip Hop, Gospel music and more.

The outdoor stage set up near 10th Ave. S. will feature two
Gospel groups, both from St. Petersburg, the Rev. Fleming Tarver with
The Original Florida Spiritualaires and The Mighty Sons of Zion. The
outdoor stage also presents the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association,
Blended Winds, Perkins Elementary dance team, Dundu Dole Ballet, rhythm
& blues with Johnny Robinson & Sons, and Hip Hop/RAP from Everyone’s
Youth United. The Royal Theater/Boys & Girls Club at 1011 22nd St. S.
will host poetry, rappers, singers, step team and drama on its indoor
stage.

Vendors will offer specialty items, seafood, barbecue, soul
food, clothing, accessories, household and gift items and more.

Feet on the Street was established in 2005 to gather the
community together and stimulate economic opportunities for small
businesses in the Midtown district, a 5.5-square mile area between
Fourth St. and 34th St., from Second Ave. N. to 30th Ave. S. in St.
Petersburg.

“Feet on the Street began as an opportunity to preserve the
rich history of this area through photography while also highlighting
local businesses, generations and the historic 22nd St. S. district,”
said Deputy Mayor for Midtown Economic Development, Goliath J. Davis
III. He added, “This year we celebrate culture, community and family
in this lively streetfest setting by showcasing the rich African
American flavor and tradition significant to this historic corridor that
was once known as ‘The Deuces’ in its heyday.” Feet on the Street
2008 is sponsored by the city of St. Petersburg Midtown Economic
Development, TASCO Teen Programs, The St. Petersburg Times, The Arts
Center of St. Petersburg, and the Royal Theater/Boys & Girls Clubs.


CONTACT: Tyna Middleton, 727-893-7894 or Janis Ford, 727-892-5087
“Feet on the Street” Festival Returns to Midtown’s 22nd Street

Family Fun Day @ James B. Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Center

May 3, Saturday -
Join the 12th Annual Family Fun Day
at James B. Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Center, 2335 - 22nd Ave S in St. Pete from 10A-3P, for free food, games, raffles, health screenings & entertainment by BK Jackson. FMI: 727-321-9444 or 727-892-5087.

Happy Birthday New Southside.com

We went online two years ago after publishing a few months with googlepages.

Seven x 7- churches call thousands to Pray for Peace in South St. Petersburg -

Every May the murder rate climbs for a long-hot summer, while a record number of young people are killed in the streets. This year the spree started early in March with four back-to-back murders in South St. Petersburg, beginning with 18-year old Levaud Landers.

In 2008, the faith community has united to do something about it!

On Thursday, May 1st 2008, the Seven x 7 movement of 49+ churches is calling thousands of people to fill up Gibbs High Football stadium in a Prayer for Peace in South St. Pete. Be there to hear the plan for street-level outreach all summer-long. Doors open at 6P for live praise directed by Music Minister Ricky Welch and at 7P for prayer. Gibbs High is located at 850 34th Street S. in St. Pete.

90 Days of Prayer
Hear About It
Gospel and Christian radio programs are getting involved to spread the word about Sevenx7. Support these show hosts. Listen in at WRXB AM 1590: Sister Diane Hughes "Total Praise" 6 am to 1 pm Mon thru Fri followed by Pastor Norma Miller "Prayze Party."


On January 26th, the Senior Pastors of dozens of congregations agreed to bind together in prayer every Saturday at 7 am for 90 consecutive days, beginning on February 2nd.

90 Days of Prayer for Senior Pastors

Feb 2 - Word of Life Fellowship, Pastor Ellis Hodge
Feb 9 - Bethel Community Baptist, Pastor Manuel Sykes
Feb 16 - Mt Zion Progressive MB, Pastor Louis M. Murphy, Sr.
Feb 23 - St. Mark AME, Pastor Keturah Pittman
Mar 1 - Gethsemane Baptist, Pastor Ron Gibson
Mar 8 - New Beginnings Westcoast Center, Pastor Charles S. McKenzie
923 Dr. Martin Luther King Street South in St. Petersburg
Mar 15 - Genesis Worship Center, Pastor Michael Culbreth
1818 - 29th Avenue North in St. Petersburg
Mar 22 - Bethel Metropolitan MB, Pastor Rickey Houston
3755 - 26th Avenue South in St. Petersburg
Mar 29 - Gateway Christian Center, Pastor Joe Van Koevering
4355 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg
Apr 5 - Truth, Faith & Deliverance, Pastor James Holt
5120 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg
Apr 12 - Unity Temple of Truth, Pastor Prentiss Davis
511 Prescott Street South in St. Petersburg
Apr 19 - New Hope MB, Pastor Carlos Senior
2120 - 19th Street South in St. Petersburg
Apr 26 - Blanket Pinellas County with Prayer - All Churches Welcome!
(Sign your church up to walk 1-mile of the Pinellas Trail)

Another view.

Race and Reconciliation

The Studio@620 presents "Race and Reconciliation"; 620 Round Table on Social Justice / 2007-2008 Series, a forum for Tampa Bay community leaders to discuss social justice issues affecting our community. Panel discussants include Rev. Charles McKenzie, a public schools educator; Rev. Ted Lockhart, a retired United Methodist minister; and Graham Shaffer, a Stetson Law School student whose work is focused on the topic of race and reconciliation. This event will be April 30, 2008 with a reception at 6:00 pm and remarks and discussion at 7:00 pm. Space is limited and RSVP is required. The location is 620 First Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida.

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